School Counselor Salary in Georgia: $65,108 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $65,108/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,933 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Brunswick ($79,125), Hinesville ($72,442), Dalton ($70,403).
In 2026, school counselors in Georgia will earn an average median salary of $65,109, which is slightly above the national median of $64,335, marking a 1.2% increase. Significant variation exists within the state, with the highest paying city, Brunswick, offering $80,747, while Valdosta has the lowest average salary at $49,334, creating a salary gap of $31,413. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local funding for education, and the demand for counselors in specific regions. Georgia requires school counselors to hold specific state licensing credentials and comply with scope of practice laws that define their roles and responsibilities. The state's educational landscape and continuous demand for mental health support contribute to a job market that is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.05%. Key cities like Hinesville ($73,927), Dalton ($71,846), Sandy Springs ($69,060), and Atlanta ($67,736) also reflect higher salary averages due to their population density and school district funding structures. Overall, the outlook for school counseling positions in Georgia appears stable, with a consistent demand for qualified professionals in the field.
Georgia School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $36,943 (lowest entry-level) to $110,470 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia school counselors earn 1.20% more than the national median (+$773/year difference).
Georgia School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Georgia range from $42,301 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,444 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,108. The Georgia median is $773 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $31.30/hr. Approximately 9,654 school counselors are employed across 40 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,573
2025 BLS Actual
$63,801
2026 Current Est.
$65,108
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,573 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,386 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,354 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,801 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,108 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 10.8% from $57,573 (2019) to $63,801 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,870 (15.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | $80,747 | 87.708 | $92,063 |
| Dalton | $71,846 | 89.844 | $79,967 |
| Hinesville | $73,927 | 93.933 | $78,702 |
| Sandy Springs | $69,060 | 93.1 | $74,178 |
| Roswell | $66,200 | 93.1 | $71,106 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,301 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,108 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,444 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brunswick | $80,747 |
| 2 | Hinesville | $73,927 |
| 3 | Dalton | $71,846 |
| 4 | Sandy Springs | $69,060 |
| 5 | Atlanta | $67,736 |
| 6 | Roswell | $66,200 |
| 7 | Augusta | $62,606 |
| 8 | Gainesville | $60,405 |
| 9 | Alpharetta | $59,398 |
| 10 | South Fulton | $59,330 |
| 11 | Columbus | $59,126 |
| 12 | Brookhaven | $58,798 |
| 13 | Warner Robins | $58,476 |
| 14 | Lawrenceville | $58,390 |
| 15 | Statesboro | $58,327 |
| 16 | Woodstock | $58,257 |
| 17 | Stockbridge | $58,172 |
| 18 | Pooler | $58,089 |
| 19 | Athens | $57,876 |
| 20 | Macon | $57,795 |
| 21 | Marietta | $57,731 |
| 22 | Peachtree Corners | $57,724 |
| 23 | Johns Creek | $57,475 |
| 24 | Savannah | $57,326 |
| 25 | Evans | $57,035 |
| 26 | Douglasville | $56,981 |
| 27 | Dunwoody | $56,977 |
| 28 | Smyrna | $56,916 |
| 29 | McDonough | $56,674 |
| 30 | Newnan | $56,584 |
| 31 | Milton | $56,560 |
| 32 | Kennesaw | $56,136 |
| 33 | Cartersville | $56,009 |
| 34 | Peachtree City | $56,008 |
| 35 | Tucker | $55,867 |
| 36 | Canton | $55,735 |
| 37 | Griffin | $54,696 |
| 38 | Albany | $54,505 |
| 39 | Rome | $53,784 |
| 40 | Valdosta | $49,334 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Georgia?
How does Georgia school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Georgia?
How many school counselors are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for school counselors?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov